Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 19, 2023

This ECG was read as “No STEMI” with no prior available for comparison. It is true this ECG does not meet STEMI criteria (there is 1.0 The patient has also developed sinus bradycardia, which may result from right coronary artery ischemia to the SA node. Instead we discussed 5 minute delays for the STEMI(+) OMI patients.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain STEMI Cardiogenic Shock Bradycardia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 21, 2024

The ECG shows obvious STEMI(+) OMI due to probable proximal LAD occlusion. The patient in today’s case presented in cardiogenic shock from proximal LAD occlusion, in conjunction with a subtotally stenosed LMCA. There is no definite evidence of acute ischemia. (ie, The below ECG was recorded.

Arrhythmia 131

Arrhythmia Cardiogenic Shock Bradycardia Defibrillator 131

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 26, 2018

The axiom of "type 1 (ACS, plaque rupture) STEMIs are not tachycardic unless they are in cardiogenic shock" is not applicable outside of sinus rhythm. In some cases the ischemia can be seen "through" the flutter waves, whereas in other cases the arrhythmia must be terminated before the ischemia can be clearly distinguished.

Ischemia 52

Ischemia Atrial Flutter Arrhythmia Tachycardia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

The baseline ECG is basically normal with no ischemia. You can see in the lead-specific analysis that she "sees" the STD in V5, V5, and II, with STE in aVR as signs of "Not OMI", because subendocardial ischemia pattern is not the same as OMI. In my opinion, I think it looks more like subendocardial ischemia.

Chest Pain 83

Chest Pain Cardiogenic Shock Ischemia Myocardial Infarction 83

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

This has been termed a “STEMI equivalent” and included in STEMI guidelines, suggesting this patient should receive dual anti-platelets, heparin and immediate cath lab activation–or thrombolysis in centres where cath lab is not available. His response: “subendocardial ischemia. Anything more on history? POCUS will be helpful.”

Ischemia 52

Ischemia STEMI Stenosis Chest Pain 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 24, 2020

When the ST vector is primarily posterior, the diagnosis is usually posterior STEMI. Contrary to what Ken stated, the ST vector remains mostly posterior __ What about subendocardial ischemia? Subendocardial ischemia results in ST depression, but unfortunately, and rather mysteriously, it does not localize to the ischemic wall.

Ischemia 52

Ischemia Chest Pain Stenosis STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 9, 2019

Post by Smith and Meyers Sam Ghali ( [link] ) just asked me (Smith): "Steve, do left main coronary artery *occlusions* (actual ones with transmural ischemia) have ST Depression or ST Elevation in aVR?" All are, however, clearly massive STEMI. This is her ECG: An obvious STEMI, but which artery?

Myocardial Infarction 52

Myocardial Infarction Ischemia STEMI Cardiogenic Shock 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023

There is normal R-wave progression in the precordial leads with no evidence of ischemia. Troponin T peaked at 2074 ng/L (very high, typical of OMI/STEMI). Here the image quality is enhanced using the PM Cardio app. What do you think? The presenting ECG shows SR with narrow QRS complexes. The LV EF was 57% at formal echo.

Pulmonary 116

Pulmonary Tricuspid Chest Pain Cardiogenic Shock 116

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 11, 2021

The patient was brought to the ED as a possible Code STEMI and was seen directly by cardiology. Similarly, STEMI guidelines call for urgent angiography for refractory ischemia or electrical/hemodynamic instability, regardless of ECG findings. But by this time the patient went into cardiogenic shock and passed away.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Ischemia Cardiogenic Shock 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 7, 2019

There is an obvious inferior STEMI, but what else? Why is the patient in shock? Besides the obvious inferior STEMI, there is across the precordial leads also, especially in V1. He was in profound cardiogenic shock. This STE is diagnostic of Right Ventricular STEMI (RV MI). A right sided ECG was not recorded.

Bradycardia 40

Bradycardia Cardiogenic Shock STEMI Ischemia 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 11, 2022

The ECG is diagnostic of LAD occlusion (or even left main occlusion possibly), with the classic pattern of RBBB and LAFB with huge concordant STE in V1-V2, I, and aVL, with reciprocal depression in most other leads (and/or a component of subendocardial ischemia pattern). The patient arrived to the ED in cardiogenic shock but awake.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Cardiogenic Shock Tachycardia Ischemia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 30, 2014

Then the notes mention "cardiogenic shock" but without any reference to a cardiac echo or to a chest x-ray. Cardiologist note says: "Elevated troponin explained by type II MI due to her shock." Trop T now very high, well into the range one sees with a STEMI; very unusual in type II MI. Was there pulmonary edema?

Outcomes 52

Outcomes Cardiogenic Shock STEMI Chest Pain 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 8, 2023

Code STEMI was activated by the ED physician based on the diagnostic ECG for LAD OMI in ventricular paced rhythm. This was several months after the 2022 ACC Guidelines adding modified Sgarbossa criteria as a STEMI equivalent in ventricular paced rhythm). LAFB, atrial flutter, anterolateral STEMI(+) OMI. Limkakeng AT.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction STEMI Pacemaker 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 12, 2020

Assessment was severe sudden cardiogenic shock. In a series of 18 patients with COVID and ST elevation, 8 were diagnosed with STEMI, 6 of whom had an angiogram and it showed obstructive coronary disease. 12 All STEMI patients had very high cTn typical of STEMI (cTnT > 1.0 They recorded an EC G: New ST Elevation.

Cardiac Arrest 52

Cardiac Arrest COVID-19 Myocardial Infarction Cardiogenic Shock 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 24, 2019

This strongly suggests reperfusing RCA ischemia. Troponins, echocardiogram An echocardiogram showed inferobasilar hypokinesis, further supporting a diagnosis of regional ischemia , likely of the area supplied by the RCA. A recent study found that SCAD causes almost 20% of STEMI in young women. There is also a Q-wave in III.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain SCAD STEMI Cardiogenic Shock 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 5, 2019

PCI mid LCx So this is an OMI (Occlusion Myocardial Infarction), but not a STEMI Echo: Decreased left ventricular systolic performance, mild/moderate. The patient went into cardiogenic shock and ultimately died of this MI. Angiogram: LM 30% ostial. LAD 80% mid LCx occluded mid (acute infarct lesion) RCA 80% mid. Sandoval Y.

Myocardial Infarction 52

Myocardial Infarction Chest Pain Cardiogenic Shock STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 11, 2025

The ECG shows sinus tachycardia, RBBB+LAFB, and signs of anterolateral acute transmural ischemia (most likely due to acute coronary occlusion), with concordant STE in I and aVL, inappropriate STE in V4-6 (though limited a bit by motion, still definite). Near 100% mortality without rapid reperfusion." The ST Elevation is NOT typical.

Cardiogenic Shock 137

Cardiogenic Shock Chest Pain Tachycardia Cardiac Arrest 137

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 3, 2025

Whenever there is tachycardia, I am skeptical of OMI unless it has led to severely compromised ejection fracction with cardiogenic shock. Supply-demand mismatch can cause ST Elevation (Type 2 STEMI). Also see these posts of Type II STEMI. Truly, the Marquette 12 SL algorithm correctly identifies this STEMI.

Tachycardia 74

Tachycardia Pulmonary Chest Pain Stenosis 74